Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-05-04
THE NATIONS CAPITOL.


United States, with the return OF the
balmy days Of spring, presents once
more a scene OF busy energy among
the scores of workmen who with crane
and trowel are placing the huge blocks
OF polished marble and granite in
their assigned places on the master
builders plan. A procession Of carts
simultaneously carry away the exca-
waited earth as the foundation Of the
extension OF the gigantic work goes
on. When the French engineer, under
instructions from President Washing
ton in the summer of 1870, made a
reconnaissance Of the gracefully undu-
lating lands in the forks of the Potomac
and the AnacOstia as the site of the
proposed seat government, he point
ed out on his rude field sketch a con.
splcuous eminence, then called Jen.
kins' hill, as the most proper site for
'the federal house where congress
should meet" Three years later
Washington laid the cornerstone of
the original edifce, which is now little
more than the foundation for the
beautifully proportional iron dome
towering over the balustraded marble
walls and Corinthian porticoes which
to-day inclose the four acres of fres-
coed and gilded ante.rooms, corridors,
committee-rooms and great halls oc-
cupied by the business OF legislation.
The pure white marble walls and
surrounding balustrade, with pedes-
tails for statues in the future, which
have supplan6ed the primitive turfed
slopes of the terraces on the north
and south siGes of the edifces, have
been finished. The western portion
from the angles to the grand stair
case is nearly SO, which leaves nothing
to consummate this imposing piece
of architectural beauty and solidity
but the grand staircase itself. This
will be far toward completion before
the close of the present working sea-
son.
Though but five years less than g.
century have elapsed since the corner
stone of the presidents house, the first
Of the public buildings in the federal
city, was laid. Washington, the CAPT
tai Of the United States, can boast of
the loftiest structure extant reared by
man in the marble obelisk to the mem
DRY OF 1.-THE Father of His Country"
1t has the largest and finest legisla-
tive and government buildings on the
globe. Ithas more equestrian statues
and as rule, of equal merit, than all
the other capitals of the world COM
bined, and it's open air and indoor
statues number upward Of hundred.
Its national museums are the greatest
and finest in the economical, ethnolog-
ical and medical affairs Of mankind
of any in existence. It's new. library
building will eclipse in beauty all
structures of the kind now in exist
ence. It's new observatory will sur
pass all others. The extension Of it's
water-supply will exceed the great
aqueducts of Rome. The latest tri-
umph In the world Of wonders of the
American capital will be this grand
staircase. Nothing of equal magni-
tude can be found in thegreat capitals
which date back to the infancy of ma
tions. The grand terrace at Dresden,
the famous gardens of Italy, the stair
case OF Sans Souci at Pottsdam, the
Vatican at Rome, or the terrace and
staircase at Central Park, New York,
do not even approach it In dimen-
sions, architectural symmetry, and
elaboration of detail and finish.
Some idea of the grandeur of this
work may be formed by reference
to it's dimensions. The north terrace,
of Maryland, and south terrace, of
Massachusetts, white marbles, and
each 3O4 feet in length and 20 feet
high, each terminating on the east in
a massive marble blocked and paved
approach to the port cOcheres respect
lively Of the Senate and House porti-
Goes of the eastern facade of the CAPT
toll. The terrace walls are capped with
q beautiful marble balustrade and
rail, with bookings serving at inter-
walls for superb brOnZelamp posts and
pedestals for statues, of which there
would be ten on each side. The walls
of the western terrace and grand stair
case are 918 feet in length, or aggre-
eating richly-paved way over 1900
feet long, extending at the base OF the
lofty Corinthian porticoes of the
northern, western and southern fronts
of the vast structure. Highly polish
ed Aberdeen granite parterres break
the terrace platform into two levels.
The grand staircase projects liz
feet and consists Of double flights of
steps A and 48 feet wide, with 4land-
ings. The distance between the two
flights Of steps Is 129 feet. At the
foot Of the staircase, facing
on the semi-circular walk, fronts
Story's heroic bronze statue of Chief
Justice John Marshall. In the rear
will be beautiful fountain, and in the
face of the connecting wall forming the
middle landing, will be inches for ivy.
From this platform will be five arches
forming an arcaded way into the sub
basement of the building. At each
landing will be imposing cheek blocks,
which will support ornate bronze
lamps and statues. The steps will end
on a broad platform of 129 feet deep
and will be connected by balustrade
over the arcaded front beneath and
bookings for statues and lamps.
The western central portico, which
projects here, will be extended in
symmetrical proportions to the
approach. The entire exterior of the
ORIGINAL canitOl. which is now the